Path and CrossSection#

You can create a Path in gdsfactory and extrude it with an arbitrary CrossSection.

Lets create a path:

  • Create a blank Path.

  • Append points to the Path either using the built-in functions (arc(), straight(), euler() …) or by providing your own lists of points

  • Specify CrossSection with layers and offsets.

  • Extrude Path with a CrossSection to create a Component with the path polygons in it.

Path#

The first step is to generate the list of points we want the path to follow. Let’s start out by creating a blank Path and using the built-in functions to make a few smooth turns.

[1]:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

from gdsfactory.cross_section import Section

import gdsfactory as gf
from gdsfactory.generic_tech import get_generic_pdk

gf.config.rich_output()
PDK = get_generic_pdk()
PDK.activate()

P = gf.Path()
P.append(gf.path.arc(radius=10, angle=90))  # Circular arc
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=10))  # Straight section
P.append(gf.path.euler(radius=3, angle=-90))  # Euler bend (aka "racetrack" curve)
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=40))
P.append(gf.path.arc(radius=8, angle=-45))
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=10))
P.append(gf.path.arc(radius=8, angle=45))
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=10))

f = P.plot()
2023-02-20 17:46:14.969 | INFO     | gdsfactory.config:<module>:50 - Load '/home/runner/work/gdsfactory/gdsfactory/gdsfactory' 6.43.1
2023-02-20 17:46:15.908 | INFO     | gdsfactory.technology.layer_views:__init__:785 - Importing LayerViews from YAML file: /home/runner/work/gdsfactory/gdsfactory/gdsfactory/generic_tech/layer_views.yaml.
2023-02-20 17:46:15.915 | INFO     | gdsfactory.pdk:activate:206 - 'generic' PDK is now active
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_1_1.png
[2]:
p2 = P.copy().rotate()
f = p2.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_2_0.png
[3]:
P.points - p2.points
array([[  0.        ,   0.        ],
       [  0.07775818,  -0.18109421],
       [  0.16015338,  -0.36012627],
       [  0.24713097,  -0.53697746],
       [  0.33863327,  -0.71153054],
       [  0.43459961,  -0.88366975],
       [  0.53496636,  -1.05328096],
       [  0.63966697,  -1.2202517 ],
       [  0.74863202,  -1.38447127],
       [  0.86178925,  -1.54583076],
       [  0.97906364,  -1.7042232 ],
       [  1.10037742,  -1.85954356],
       [  1.22565016,  -2.01168884],
       [  1.35479879,  -2.16055818],
       [  1.48773767,  -2.30605285],
       [  1.62437867,  -2.44807638],
       [  1.76463118,  -2.58653461],
       [  1.9084022 ,  -2.72133573],
       [  2.0555964 ,  -2.85239035],
       [  2.20611618,  -2.97961158],
       [  2.35986175,  -3.10291506],
       [  2.51673115,  -3.22221903],
       [  2.67662037,  -3.33744439],
       [  2.83942339,  -3.44851474],
       [  3.00503227,  -3.55535642],
       [  3.1733372 ,  -3.6578986 ],
       [  3.34422657,  -3.75607328],
       [  3.51758709,  -3.84981537],
       [  3.69330379,  -3.93906271],
       [  3.87126017,  -4.02375613],
       [  4.05133823,  -4.10383946],
       [  4.23341856,  -4.1792596 ],
       [  4.41738044,  -4.24996655],
       [  4.60310189,  -4.31591343],
       [  4.79045976,  -4.3770565 ],
       [  4.97932982,  -4.43335522],
       [  5.16958684,  -4.48477228],
       [  5.36110467,  -4.53127356],
       [  5.55375631,  -4.57282824],
       [  5.74741403,  -4.60940877],
       [  5.94194941,  -4.64099089],
       [  6.13723348,  -4.66755366],
       [  6.33313674,  -4.68907946],
       [  6.52952929,  -4.70555403],
       [  6.72628092,  -4.71696644],
       [  6.92326117,  -4.72330911],
       [  7.12033942,  -4.72457786],
       [  7.317385  ,  -4.72077183],
       [  7.51426725,  -4.71189355],
       [  7.71085564,  -4.69794891],
       [  7.90701981,  -4.67894715],
       [  8.10262968,  -4.65490087],
       [  8.29755556,  -4.62582602],
       [  8.4916682 ,  -4.59174187],
       [  8.6848389 ,  -4.55267103],
       [  8.87693955,  -4.50863939],
       [  9.0678428 ,  -4.45967617],
       [  9.25742205,  -4.40581381],
       [  9.44555161,  -4.34708805],
       [  9.63210673,  -4.28353781],
       [  9.81696372,  -4.21520523],
       [ 10.        ,  -4.14213562],
       [ 17.07106781,  -1.21320344],
       [ 17.22259744,  -1.15062977],
       [ 17.3745295 ,  -1.0890412 ],
       [ 17.52724719,  -1.02943054],
       [ 17.68109502,  -0.9728054 ],
       [ 17.83635884,  -0.92019408],
       [ 17.99324531,  -0.87264941],
       [ 18.15186066,  -0.83125013],
       [ 18.31218874,  -0.79709882],
       [ 18.47406876,  -0.77131591],
       [ 18.63717281,  -0.75502883],
       [ 18.80098407,  -0.74935572],
       [ 18.98113405,  -0.75643383],
       [ 19.16017334,  -0.77762453],
       [ 19.33699811,  -0.81279716],
       [ 19.51051817,  -0.86173488],
       [ 19.67966373,  -0.92413597],
       [ 19.84339193,  -0.9996157 ],
       [ 20.00069333,  -1.08770872],
       [ 20.15059814,  -1.18787191],
       [ 20.29218212,  -1.29948772],
       [ 20.42457237,  -1.42186801],
       [ 20.53639293,  -1.54171156],
       [ 20.6402082 ,  -1.66856024],
       [ 20.73644339,  -1.80125797],
       [ 20.82566384,  -1.93877567],
       [ 20.90854811,  -2.08020737],
       [ 20.98586445,  -2.22476202],
       [ 21.05845073,  -2.37175194],
       [ 21.12719755,  -2.5205788 ],
       [ 21.19303416,  -2.67071762],
       [ 21.25691665,  -2.82169951],
       [ 21.31981802,  -2.97309339],
       [ 33.03554677, -31.25736464],
       [ 33.1091836 , -31.44370627],
       [ 33.17668408, -31.63235747],
       [ 33.23797592, -31.82311621],
       [ 33.29299349, -32.01577822],
       [ 33.34167789, -32.21013721],
       [ 33.38397696, -32.40598505],
       [ 33.41984543, -32.60311201],
       [ 33.44924488, -32.80130701],
       [ 33.47214384, -33.00035782],
       [ 33.48851777, -33.20005129],
       [ 33.49834914, -33.40017358],
       [ 33.50162744, -33.60051039],
       [ 33.49834914, -33.80084721],
       [ 33.48851777, -34.0009695 ],
       [ 33.47214384, -34.20066296],
       [ 33.44924488, -34.39971377],
       [ 33.41984543, -34.59790877],
       [ 33.38397696, -34.79503574],
       [ 33.34167789, -34.99088357],
       [ 33.29299349, -35.18524256],
       [ 33.23797592, -35.37790458],
       [ 33.17668408, -35.56866332],
       [ 33.1091836 , -35.75731451],
       [ 33.03554677, -35.94365614],
       [ 30.10661458, -43.01472396],
       [ 30.03297776, -43.20106559],
       [ 29.96547728, -43.38971678],
       [ 29.90418544, -43.58047552],
       [ 29.84916786, -43.77313754],
       [ 29.80048347, -43.96749653],
       [ 29.75818439, -44.16334436],
       [ 29.72231592, -44.36047132],
       [ 29.69291647, -44.55866633],
       [ 29.67001752, -44.75771713],
       [ 29.65364359, -44.9574106 ],
       [ 29.64381221, -45.15753289],
       [ 29.64053392, -45.35786971],
       [ 29.64381221, -45.55820652],
       [ 29.65364359, -45.75832881],
       [ 29.67001752, -45.95802228],
       [ 29.69291647, -46.15707309],
       [ 29.72231592, -46.35526809],
       [ 29.75818439, -46.55239505],
       [ 29.80048347, -46.74824289],
       [ 29.84916786, -46.94260187],
       [ 29.90418544, -47.13526389],
       [ 29.96547728, -47.32602263],
       [ 30.03297776, -47.51467382],
       [ 30.10661458, -47.70101546],
       [ 33.03554677, -54.77208327]])

You can also modify our Path in the same ways as any other gdsfactory object:

  • Manipulation with move(), rotate(), mirror(), etc

  • Accessing properties like xmin, y, center, bbox, etc

[4]:
P.movey(10)
P.xmin = 20
f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_5_0.png

You can also check the length of the curve with the length() method:

[5]:
P.length()
105.34098399267245

CrossSection#

Now that you’ve got your path defined, the next step is to define the cross-section of the path. To do this, you can create a blank CrossSection and add whatever cross-sections you want to it. You can then combine the Path and the CrossSection using the gf.path.extrude() function to generate a Component:

Option 1: Single layer and width cross-section#

The simplest option is to just set the cross-section to be a constant width by passing a number to extrude() like so:

[6]:
# Extrude the Path and the CrossSection
c = gf.path.extrude(P, layer=(1, 0), width=1.5)
c
extrude_83078f33: uid cb13c3fc, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 1 polygons

Option 2: Linearly-varying width#

A slightly more advanced version is to make the cross-section width vary linearly from start to finish by passing a 2-element list to extrude() like so:

[7]:
# Extrude the Path and the CrossSection
c = gf.path.extrude(P, layer=(1, 0), widths=(1, 3))
c
extrude_a2af4a0b: uid ebb0f4a6, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 1 polygons

Option 3: Arbitrary Cross-section#

You can also extrude an arbitrary cross_section

Now, what if we want a more complicated straight? For instance, in some photonic applications it’s helpful to have a shallow etch that appears on either side of the straight (often called a trench or sleeve). Additionally, it might be nice to have a Port on either end of the center section so we can snap other geometries to it. Let’s try adding something like that in:

[8]:
p = gf.path.straight()

# Add a few "sections" to the cross-section
s1 = gf.Section(width=2, offset=2, layer=(2, 0))
s2 = gf.Section(width=2, offset=-2, layer=(2, 0))
x = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1, offset=0, layer=(1, 0), port_names=("in", "out"), sections=[s1, s2]
)

c = gf.path.extrude(p, cross_section=x)
c
extrude_fbf7128f: uid b99ad1f4, ports ['in', 'out'], references [], 3 polygons
[9]:
p = gf.path.arc()

# Combine the Path and the CrossSection
b = gf.path.extrude(p, cross_section=x)
b
extrude_54d01320: uid b1858d41, ports ['in', 'out'], references [], 3 polygons

Building Paths quickly#

You can pass append() lists of path segments. This makes it easy to combine paths very quickly. Below we show 3 examples using this functionality:

Example 1: Assemble a complex path by making a list of Paths and passing it to append()

[10]:
P = gf.Path()

# Create the basic Path components
left_turn = gf.path.euler(radius=4, angle=90)
right_turn = gf.path.euler(radius=4, angle=-90)
straight = gf.path.straight(length=10)

# Assemble a complex path by making list of Paths and passing it to `append()`
P.append(
    [
        straight,
        left_turn,
        straight,
        right_turn,
        straight,
        straight,
        right_turn,
        left_turn,
        straight,
    ]
)

f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_17_0.png

Example 2: Create an “S-turn” just by making a list of [left_turn, right_turn]

[11]:
P = gf.Path()

# Create an "S-turn" just by making a list
s_turn = [left_turn, right_turn]

P.append(s_turn)
f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_19_0.png

Example 3: Repeat the S-turn 3 times by nesting our S-turn list in another list

[12]:
P = gf.Path()

# Create an "S-turn" using a list
s_turn = [left_turn, right_turn]

# Repeat the S-turn 3 times by nesting our S-turn list 3x times in another list
triple_s_turn = [s_turn, s_turn, s_turn]

P.append(triple_s_turn)
f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_21_0.png

Note you can also use the Path() constructor to immediately construct your Path:

[13]:
P = gf.Path([straight, left_turn, straight, right_turn, straight])
f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_23_0.png

Waypoint smooth paths#

You can also build smooth paths between waypoints with the smooth() function

[14]:
points = np.array([(20, 10), (40, 10), (20, 40), (50, 40), (50, 20), (70, 20)])
plt.plot(points[:, 0], points[:, 1], ".-")
plt.axis("equal")
(17.5, 72.5, 8.5, 41.5)
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_25_1.png
[15]:
points = np.array([(20, 10), (40, 10), (20, 40), (50, 40), (50, 20), (70, 20)])

P = gf.path.smooth(
    points=points,
    radius=2,
    bend=gf.path.euler,  # Alternatively, use pp.arc
    use_eff=False,
)
f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_26_0.png

Waypoint sharp paths#

It’s also possible to make more traditional angular paths (e.g. electrical wires) in a few different ways.

Example 1: Using a simple list of points

[16]:
P = gf.Path([(20, 10), (30, 10), (40, 30), (50, 30), (50, 20), (70, 20)])
f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_28_0.png

Example 2: Using the “turn and move” method, where you manipulate the end angle of the Path so that when you append points to it, they’re in the correct direction. Note: It is crucial that the number of points per straight section is set to 2 (``pp.straight(length, num_pts = 2)``) otherwise the extrusion algorithm will show defects.

[17]:
P = gf.Path()
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=10, npoints=2))
P.end_angle += 90  # "Turn" 90 deg (left)
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=10, npoints=2))  # "Walk" length of 10
P.end_angle += -135  # "Turn" -135 degrees (right)
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=15, npoints=2))  # "Walk" length of 10
P.end_angle = 0  # Force the direction to be 0 degrees
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=10, npoints=2))  # "Walk" length of 10
f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_30_0.png
[18]:
s1 = gf.Section(width=1.5, offset=2.5, layer=(2, 0))
s2 = gf.Section(width=1.5, offset=-2.5, layer=(3, 0))
X = gf.CrossSection(width=1, offset=0, layer=(1, 0), sections=[s1, s2])
component = gf.path.extrude(P, X)
component
extrude_4b5fc8d2: uid a391e7bc, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 3 polygons

Custom curves#

Now let’s have some fun and try to make a loop-de-loop structure with parallel straights and several Ports.

To create a new type of curve we simply make a function that produces an array of points. The best way to do that is to create a function which allows you to specify a large number of points along that curve – in the case below, the looploop() function outputs 1000 points along a looping path. Later, if we want reduce the number of points in our geometry we can trivially simplify the path.

[19]:
def looploop(num_pts=1000):
    """Simple limacon looping curve"""
    t = np.linspace(-np.pi, 0, num_pts)
    r = 20 + 25 * np.sin(t)
    x = r * np.cos(t)
    y = r * np.sin(t)
    return np.array((x, y)).T


# Create the path points
P = gf.Path()
P.append(gf.path.arc(radius=10, angle=90))
P.append(gf.path.straight())
P.append(gf.path.arc(radius=5, angle=-90))
P.append(looploop(num_pts=1000))
P.rotate(-45)

# Create the crosssection
s1 = gf.Section(width=0.5, offset=2, layer=(2, 0))
s2 = gf.Section(width=0.5, offset=4, layer=(3, 0))
s3 = gf.Section(width=1, offset=0, layer=(4, 0))
X = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1.5, offset=0, layer=(1, 0), port_names=["in", "out"], sections=[s1, s2, s3]
)

c = gf.path.extrude(P, X)
c
extrude_ee70f2c5: uid e901925e, ports ['in', 'out'], references [], 4 polygons

You can create Paths from any array of points – just be sure that they form smooth curves! If we examine our path P we can see that all we’ve simply created a long list of points:

[20]:
path_points = P.points  # Curve points are stored as a numpy array in P.points
print(np.shape(path_points))  # The shape of the array is Nx2
print(len(P))  # Equivalently, use len(P) to see how many points are inside
(1092, 2)
1092

Simplifying / reducing point usage#

One of the chief concerns of generating smooth curves is that too many points are generated, inflating file sizes and making boolean operations computationally expensive. Fortunately, PHIDL has a fast implementation of the Ramer-Douglas–Peucker algorithm that lets you reduce the number of points in a curve without changing its shape. All that needs to be done is when you made a component component() extruding the path with a cross_section, you specify the simplify argument.

If we specify simplify = 1e-3, the number of points in the line drops from 12,000 to 4,000, and the remaining points form a line that is identical to within 1e-3 distance from the original (for the default 1 micron unit size, this corresponds to 1 nanometer resolution):

[21]:
# The remaining points form a identical line to within `1e-3` from the original
c = gf.path.extrude(p=P, cross_section=X, simplify=1e-3)
c
extrude_4569f743: uid 3513722f, ports ['in', 'out'], references [], 4 polygons

Let’s say we need fewer points. We can increase the simplify tolerance by specifying simplify = 1e-1. This drops the number of points to ~400 points form a line that is identical to within 1e-1 distance from the original:

[22]:
c = gf.path.extrude(P, cross_section=X, simplify=1e-1)
c
extrude_d0657b4a: uid ed5752e4, ports ['in', 'out'], references [], 4 polygons

Taken to absurdity, what happens if we set simplify = 0.3? Once again, the ~200 remaining points form a line that is within 0.3 units from the original – but that line looks pretty bad.

[23]:
c = gf.path.extrude(P, cross_section=X, simplify=0.3)
c
extrude_16753eb9: uid 874a621e, ports ['in', 'out'], references [], 4 polygons

Curvature calculation#

The Path class has a curvature() method that computes the curvature K of your smooth path (K = 1/(radius of curvature)). This can be helpful for verifying that your curves transition smoothly such as in track-transition curves (also known as “Euler” bends in the photonics world). Euler bends have lower mode-mismatch loss as explained in this paper

Note this curvature is numerically computed so areas where the curvature jumps instantaneously (such as between an arc and a straight segment) will be slightly interpolated, and sudden changes in point density along the curve can cause discontinuities.

[24]:
straight_points = 100

P = gf.Path()
P.append(
    [
        gf.path.straight(
            length=10, npoints=straight_points
        ),  # Should have a curvature of 0
        gf.path.euler(
            radius=3, angle=90, p=0.5, use_eff=False
        ),  # Euler straight-to-bend transition with min. bend radius of 3 (max curvature of 1/3)
        gf.path.straight(
            length=10, npoints=straight_points
        ),  # Should have a curvature of 0
        gf.path.arc(radius=10, angle=90),  # Should have a curvature of 1/10
        gf.path.arc(radius=5, angle=-90),  # Should have a curvature of -1/5
        gf.path.straight(
            length=2, npoints=straight_points
        ),  # Should have a curvature of 0
    ]
)

f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_43_0.png

Arc paths are equivalent to bend_circular and euler paths are equivalent to bend_euler

[25]:
s, K = P.curvature()
plt.plot(s, K, ".-")
plt.xlabel("Position along curve (arc length)")
plt.ylabel("Curvature")
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_45_0.png
[26]:
P = gf.path.euler(radius=3, angle=90, p=1.0, use_eff=False)
P.append(gf.path.euler(radius=3, angle=90, p=0.2, use_eff=False))
P.append(gf.path.euler(radius=3, angle=90, p=0.0, use_eff=False))
P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_46_0.png
[26]:
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_46_1.png
[27]:
s, K = P.curvature()
plt.plot(s, K, ".-")
plt.xlabel("Position along curve (arc length)")
plt.ylabel("Curvature")
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_47_0.png

You can compare two 90 degrees euler bend with 180 euler bend.

A 180 euler bend is shorter, and has less loss than two 90 degrees euler bend.

[28]:
straight_points = 100

P = gf.Path()
P.append(
    [
        gf.path.euler(radius=3, angle=90, p=1, use_eff=False),
        gf.path.euler(radius=3, angle=90, p=1, use_eff=False),
        gf.path.straight(length=6, npoints=100),
        gf.path.euler(radius=3, angle=180, p=1, use_eff=False),
    ]
)

f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_49_0.png
[29]:
s, K = P.curvature()
plt.plot(s, K, ".-")
plt.xlabel("Position along curve (arc length)")
plt.ylabel("Curvature")
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_50_0.png

Transitioning between cross-sections#

Often a critical element of building paths is being able to transition between cross-sections. You can use the transition() function to do exactly this: you simply feed it two CrossSections and it will output a new CrossSection that smoothly transitions between the two.

Let’s start off by creating two cross-sections we want to transition between. Note we give all the cross-sectional elements names by specifying the name argument in the add() function – this is important because the transition function will try to match names between the two input cross-sections, and any names not present in both inputs will be skipped.

[30]:
# Create our first CrossSection
s1 = gf.Section(width=2.2, offset=0, layer=(3, 0), name="etch")
s2 = gf.Section(width=1.1, offset=3, layer=(1, 0), name="wg2")
X1 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1.2,
    offset=0,
    layer=(2, 0),
    name="wg",
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    sections=[s1, s2],
)

# Create the second CrossSection that we want to transition to
s1 = gf.Section(width=3.5, offset=0, layer=(3, 0), name="etch")
s2 = gf.Section(width=3, offset=5, layer=(1, 0), name="wg2")
X2 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1,
    offset=0,
    layer=(2, 0),
    name="wg",
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    sections=[s1, s2],
)

# To show the cross-sections, let's create two Paths and
# create Components by extruding them
P1 = gf.path.straight(length=5)
P2 = gf.path.straight(length=5)
wg1 = gf.path.extrude(P1, X1)
wg2 = gf.path.extrude(P2, X2)

# Place both cross-section Components and quickplot them
c = gf.Component("demo")
wg1ref = c << wg1
wg2ref = c << wg2
wg2ref.movex(7.5)

c
demo: uid 7164497a, ports [], references ['extrude_1', 'extrude_2'], 0 polygons

Now let’s create the transitional CrossSection by calling transition() with these two CrossSections as input. If we want the width to vary as a smooth sinusoid between the sections, we can set width_type to 'sine' (alternatively we could also use 'linear').

[31]:
# Create the transitional CrossSection
Xtrans = gf.path.transition(cross_section1=X1, cross_section2=X2, width_type="sine")
# Create a Path for the transitional CrossSection to follow
P3 = gf.path.straight(length=15, npoints=100)
# Use the transitional CrossSection to create a Component
straight_transition = gf.path.extrude(P3, Xtrans)
straight_transition
extrude_63a9d9d6: uid bc617eaf, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 3 polygons
[32]:
wg1
extrude_59f9236f: uid c662201e, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 3 polygons
[33]:
wg2
extrude_b1101b4b: uid 441469c5, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 3 polygons

Now that we have all of our components, let’s connect() everything and see what it looks like

[34]:
c = gf.Component("transition_demo")

wg1ref = c << wg1
wgtref = c << straight_transition
wg2ref = c << wg2

wgtref.connect("o1", wg1ref.ports["o2"])
wg2ref.connect("o1", wgtref.ports["o2"])

c
transition_demo: uid 055a9f65, ports [], references ['extrude_1', 'extrude_2', 'extrude_3'], 0 polygons

Note that since transition() outputs a CrossSection, we can make the transition follow an arbitrary path:

[35]:
# Transition along a curving Path
P4 = gf.path.euler(radius=25, angle=45, p=0.5, use_eff=False)
wg_trans = gf.path.extrude(P4, Xtrans)

c = gf.Component("demo_transition")
wg1_ref = c << wg1  # First cross-section Component
wg2_ref = c << wg2
wgt_ref = c << wg_trans

wgt_ref.connect("o1", wg1_ref.ports["o2"])
wg2_ref.connect("o1", wgt_ref.ports["o2"])

c
demo_transition: uid 135bfdb4, ports [], references ['extrude_1', 'extrude_2', 'extrude_3'], 0 polygons

Variable width / offset#

In some instances, you may want to vary the width or offset of the path’s cross- section as it travels. This can be accomplished by giving the CrossSection arguments that are functions or lists. Let’s say we wanted a width that varies sinusoidally along the length of the Path. To do this, we need to make a width function that is parameterized from 0 to 1: for an example function my_width_fun(t) where the width at t==0 is the width at the beginning of the Path and the width at t==1 is the width at the end.

[36]:
def my_custom_width_fun(t):
    # Note: Custom width/offset functions MUST be vectorizable--you must be able
    # to call them with an array input like my_custom_width_fun([0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4])
    num_periods = 5
    return 3 + np.cos(2 * np.pi * t * num_periods)


# Create the Path
P = gf.path.straight(length=40, npoints=30)

# Create two cross-sections: one fixed width, one modulated by my_custom_offset_fun
s = gf.Section(width=my_custom_width_fun, offset=0, layer=(1, 0))
X = gf.CrossSection(width=3, offset=-6, layer=(2, 0), sections=[s])

# Extrude the Path to create the Component
c = gf.path.extrude(P, cross_section=X)
c
extrude_d5cd1ec2: uid 31bc7e88, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons

We can do the same thing with the offset argument:

[37]:
def my_custom_offset_fun(t):
    # Note: Custom width/offset functions MUST be vectorizable--you must be able
    # to call them with an array input like my_custom_offset_fun([0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4])
    num_periods = 3
    return 3 + np.cos(2 * np.pi * t * num_periods)


# Create the Path
P = gf.path.straight(length=40, npoints=30)

# Create two cross-sections: one fixed offset, one modulated by my_custom_offset_fun
s = gf.Section(
    width=1, offset=my_custom_offset_fun, layer=(2, 0), port_names=["clad1", "clad2"]
)
X = gf.CrossSection(width=1, offset=0, layer=(1, 0), sections=[s])

# Extrude the Path to create the Component
c = gf.path.extrude(P, cross_section=X)
c
extrude_2e1a443c: uid 6c6528b3, ports ['clad1', 'clad2', 'o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons

Offsetting a Path#

Sometimes it’s convenient to start with a simple Path and offset the line it follows to suit your needs (without using a custom-offset CrossSection). Here, we start with two copies of simple straight Path and use the offset() function to directly modify each Path.

[38]:
def my_custom_offset_fun(t):
    # Note: Custom width/offset functions MUST be vectorizable--you must be able
    # to call them with an array input like my_custom_offset_fun([0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4])
    num_periods = 3
    return 2 + np.cos(2 * np.pi * t * num_periods)


P1 = gf.path.straight(npoints=101)
P2 = P1.copy()  # Make a copy of the Path

P1.offset(offset=my_custom_offset_fun)
P2.offset(offset=my_custom_offset_fun)
P2.mirror((1, 0))  # reflect across X-axis

f = P1.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_66_0.png
[39]:
f2 = P2.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_67_0.png

Modifying a CrossSection#

In case you need to modify the CrossSection, it can be done simply by specifying a name argument for the cross-sectional element you want to modify later. Here is an example where we name one of thee cross-sectional elements 'myelement1' and 'myelement2':

[40]:
# Create the Path
P = gf.path.arc(radius=10, angle=45)

# Create two cross-sections: one fixed width, one modulated by my_custom_offset_fun
s = gf.Section(width=1, offset=3, layer=(2, 0), name="waveguide")
X = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1,
    offset=0,
    layer=(1, 0),
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    name="heater",
    sections=[s],
)


c = gf.path.extrude(P, X)
c
extrude_cb94c002: uid 60090a78, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons

In case we want to change any of the CrossSection elements, we simply access the Python dictionary that specifies that element and modify the values

[41]:
# Create our first CrossSection
s1 = gf.Section(width=2.2, offset=0, layer=(3, 0), name="etch")
s2 = gf.Section(width=1.1, offset=3, layer=(1, 0), name="wg2")
X1 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1.2,
    offset=0,
    layer=(2, 0),
    name="wg",
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    sections=[s1, s2],
)

# Create the second CrossSection that we want to transition to
s1 = gf.Section(width=3.5, offset=0, layer=(3, 0), name="etch")
s2 = gf.Section(width=3, offset=5, layer=(1, 0), name="wg2")
X2 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1,
    offset=0,
    layer=(2, 0),
    name="wg",
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    sections=[s1, s2],
)

Xtrans = gf.path.transition(cross_section1=X1, cross_section2=X2, width_type="sine")


P1 = gf.path.straight(length=5)
P2 = gf.path.straight(length=5)
wg1 = gf.path.extrude(P1, X1)
wg2 = gf.path.extrude(P2, X2)

P4 = gf.path.euler(radius=25, angle=45, p=0.5, use_eff=False)
wg_trans = gf.path.extrude(P4, Xtrans)
# WG_trans = P4.extrude(Xtrans)


c = gf.Component("demo")
wg1_ref = c << wg1
wg2_ref = c << wg2
wgt_ref = c << wg_trans

wgt_ref.connect("o1", wg1_ref.ports["o2"])
wg2_ref.connect("o1", wgt_ref.ports["o2"])

c
demo: uid 0d61a879, ports [], references ['extrude_1', 'extrude_2', 'extrude_3'], 0 polygons
[42]:
len(c.references)
3

Note

Any unnamed section in the CrossSection won’t be transitioned.

If you don’t add any named sections in a cross-section it will give you an error when making a transition

[43]:
P = gf.Path()
P.append(gf.path.arc(radius=10, angle=90))  # Circular arc
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=10))  # Straight section
P.append(gf.path.euler(radius=3, angle=-90))  # Euler bend (aka "racetrack" curve)
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=40))
P.append(gf.path.arc(radius=8, angle=-45))
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=10))
P.append(gf.path.arc(radius=8, angle=45))
P.append(gf.path.straight(length=10))

f = P.plot()
../_images/notebooks_03_waveguides_paths_crossections_74_0.png
[44]:
X1 = gf.CrossSection(width=1, offset=0, layer=(2, 0))
c = gf.path.extrude(P, X1)
c
extrude_eccb20b8: uid d8a5525c, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 1 polygons
[45]:
X2 = gf.CrossSection(width=2, offset=0, layer=(2, 0))
c = gf.path.extrude(P, X2)
c
extrude_f79bdb2d: uid ef5d9cd8, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 1 polygons

For example this will give you an error

T = gf.path.transition(X, X2)

Solution

[46]:
P = gf.path.straight(length=10, npoints=101)

s = gf.Section(width=3, offset=0, layer=gf.LAYER.SLAB90)
X1 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1,
    offset=0,
    layer=gf.LAYER.WG,
    name="core",
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    sections=[s],
)
c = gf.path.extrude(P, X1)
c
extrude_19c35cf5: uid 021a9cc0, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons
[47]:
X2 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=3, offset=0, layer=gf.LAYER.WG, name="core", port_names=("o1", "o2")
)
c2 = gf.path.extrude(P, X2)
c2
extrude_62380165: uid b5b3ffd6, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 1 polygons
[48]:
T = gf.path.transition(X1, X2)
c3 = gf.path.extrude(P, T)
c3
extrude_ec0d694f: uid 52069ae9, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 1 polygons
[49]:
c4 = gf.Component("demo_transition2")
[50]:
start_ref = c4 << c
trans_ref = c4 << c3
end_ref = c4 << c2

trans_ref.connect("o1", start_ref.ports["o2"])
end_ref.connect("o1", trans_ref.ports["o2"])
ComponentReference (parent Component "extrude_62380165", ports ['o1', 'o2'], origin (20.0, 0.0), rotation 0.0, x_reflection False)
[51]:
c4
demo_transition2: uid 9fd3409f, ports [], references ['extrude_1', 'extrude_2', 'extrude_3'], 0 polygons

cross-section#

You can create functions that return a cross_section in 2 ways:

  • gf.partial can customize an existing cross-section for example gf.cross_section.strip

  • define a function that returns a cross_section

What parameters do cross_section take?

[52]:
help(gf.cross_section.cross_section)
Help on cython_function_or_method in module gdsfactory.cross_section:

cross_section(width: 'Union[Callable, float]' = 0.5, offset: 'Union[float, Callable]' = 0, layer: 'LayerSpec' = 'WG', width_wide: 'Optional[float]' = None, auto_widen: 'bool' = False, auto_widen_minimum_length: 'float' = 200.0, taper_length: 'float' = 10.0, radius: 'Optional[float]' = 10.0, sections: 'Optional[Tuple[Section, ...]]' = None, port_names: 'Tuple[str, str]' = ('o1', 'o2'), port_types: 'Tuple[str, str]' = ('optical', 'optical'), min_length: 'float' = 0.01, start_straight_length: 'float' = 0.01, end_straight_length: 'float' = 0.01, snap_to_grid: 'Optional[float]' = None, bbox_layers: 'Optional[List[LayerSpec]]' = None, bbox_offsets: 'Optional[List[float]]' = None, cladding_layers: 'Optional[LayerSpecs]' = None, cladding_offsets: 'Optional[Floats]' = None, info: 'Optional[Dict[str, Any]]' = None, decorator: 'Optional[Callable]' = None, add_pins: 'Optional[Callable]' = None, add_bbox: 'Optional[Callable]' = None, add_center_section: 'bool' = True, mirror: 'bool' = False, name: 'Optional[str]' = None) -> 'CrossSection'
    Return CrossSection.

    Args:
        width: main Section width (um) or function parameterized from 0 to 1.
            the width at t==0 is the width at the beginning of the Path.
            the width at t==1 is the width at the end.
        offset: main Section center offset (um) or function from 0 to 1.
             the offset at t==0 is the offset at the beginning of the Path.
             the offset at t==1 is the offset at the end.
        layer: main section layer.
        width_wide: wide waveguides width (um) for low loss routing.
        auto_widen: taper to wide waveguides for low loss routing.
        auto_widen_minimum_length: minimum straight length for auto_widen.
        taper_length: taper_length for auto_widen.
        radius: bend radius (um).
        sections: list of Sections(width, offset, layer, ports).
        port_names: for input and output ('o1', 'o2').
        port_types: for input and output: electrical, optical, vertical_te ...
        min_length: defaults to 1nm = 10e-3um for routing.
        start_straight_length: straight length at the beginning of the route.
        end_straight_length: end length at the beginning of the route.
        snap_to_grid: can snap points to grid when extruding the path.
        bbox_layers: list of layers for rectangular bounding box.
        bbox_offsets: list of bounding box offsets.
        cladding_layers: list of layers to extrude.
        cladding_offsets: list of offset from main Section edge.
        info: settings info.
        decorator: function to run when converting path to component.
        add_pins: optional function to add pins to component.
        add_bbox: optional function to add bounding box to component.
        add_center_section: whether a section with `width` and `layer`
              is added during extrude.
        mirror: if True, reflects the offsets.
        name: cross_section name.


    .. plot::
        :include-source:

        import gdsfactory as gf

        xs = gf.cross_section.cross_section(width=0.5, offset=0, layer='WG')
        p = gf.path.arc(radius=10, angle=45)
        c = p.extrude(xs)
        c.plot()

[53]:
pin = gf.partial(
    gf.cross_section.strip,
    layer=(2, 0),
    sections=(
        Section(layer=gf.LAYER.P, width=2, offset=+2),
        Section(layer=gf.LAYER.N, width=2, offset=-2),
    ),
)
[54]:
c = gf.components.straight(cross_section=pin)
c
straight_0686b7f8: uid a86349f3, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 3 polygons
[55]:
pin5 = gf.components.straight(cross_section=pin, length=5)
pin5
straight_43b36685: uid f1e00a1a, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 3 polygons

finally, you can also pass most components Dict that define the cross-section

[56]:
gf.components.straight(
    layer=(1, 0),
    width=0.5,
    sections=(
        Section(layer=gf.LAYER.P, width=1, offset=+2),
        Section(layer=gf.LAYER.N, width=1, offset=-2),
    ),
)
straight_fe04a5ce: uid 0d4fcc1b, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 3 polygons
[57]:
# Create our first CrossSection
s1 = gf.Section(width=0.2, offset=0, layer=(3, 0), name="slab")
X1 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=0.5, offset=0, layer=(1, 0), name="wg", port_names=("o1", "o2"), sections=[s1]
)


# Create the second CrossSection that we want to transition to
s = gf.Section(width=3.0, offset=0, layer=(3, 0), name="slab")
X2 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=0.5, offset=0, layer=(1, 0), name="wg", port_names=("o1", "o2"), sections=[s]
)

# To show the cross-sections, let's create two Paths and
# create Components by extruding them
P1 = gf.path.straight(length=5)
P2 = gf.path.straight(length=5)
wg1 = gf.path.extrude(P1, X1)
wg2 = gf.path.extrude(P2, X2)

# Place both cross-section Components and quickplot them
c = gf.Component()
wg1ref = c << wg1
wg2ref = c << wg2
wg2ref.movex(7.5)

# Create the transitional CrossSection
Xtrans = gf.path.transition(cross_section1=X1, cross_section2=X2, width_type="linear")
# Create a Path for the transitional CrossSection to follow
P3 = gf.path.straight(length=15, npoints=100)
# Use the transitional CrossSection to create a Component
straight_transition = gf.path.extrude(P3, Xtrans)
straight_transition
extrude_d6cef4a0: uid bf09215f, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons
[58]:
s = straight_transition.to_3d()
s.show()
[58]:

Waveguides with Shear Faces#

By default, an extruded path will end in a face orthogonal to the direction of the path. In some cases, it is desired to have a sheared face that tilts at a given angle from this orthogonal baseline. This can be done by supplying the parameters shear_angle_start and shear_angle_end to the extrude() function.

[59]:
P = gf.path.straight(length=10)

s = gf.Section(width=3, offset=0, layer=gf.LAYER.SLAB90)
X1 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1,
    offset=0,
    layer=gf.LAYER.WG,
    name="core",
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    sections=[s],
)
c = gf.path.extrude(P, X1, shear_angle_start=10, shear_angle_end=45)
c
extrude_bee5c5d7: uid 94df4e3f, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons

By default, the shear angle parameters are None, in which case shearing will not be applied to the face.

[60]:
c = gf.path.extrude(P, X1, shear_angle_start=None, shear_angle_end=10)
c
extrude_0582ba33: uid 6c776f5d, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons

Shearing should work on paths of arbitrary orientation, as long as their end segments are sufficiently long.

[61]:
angle = 45
P = gf.path.straight(length=10).rotate(angle)
c = gf.path.extrude(P, X1, shear_angle_start=angle, shear_angle_end=angle)
c
extrude_77c2f42f: uid 7ca6e066, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons

For a non-linear path or width profile, the algorithm will intersect the path when sheared inwards and extrapolate linearly going outwards.

[62]:
angle = 15
P = gf.path.euler()
c = gf.path.extrude(P, X1, shear_angle_start=angle, shear_angle_end=angle)
c
extrude_7605560a: uid aac6dbfe, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons

The port location, width and orientation remains the same for a sheared component. However, an additional property, shear_angle is set to the value of the shear angle. In general, shear ports can be safely connected together.

[63]:
P = gf.path.straight(length=10)
P_skinny = gf.path.straight(length=0.5)

s = gf.Section(width=3, offset=0, layer=gf.LAYER.SLAB90, name="slab")
X1 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1,
    offset=0,
    layer=gf.LAYER.WG,
    name="core",
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    sections=[s],
)

c = gf.path.extrude(P, X1, shear_angle_start=45, shear_angle_end=45)
c_skinny = gf.path.extrude(P_skinny, X1, shear_angle_start=45, shear_angle_end=45)

circuit = gf.Component("shear_sample")
c1 = circuit << c
c2 = circuit << c_skinny
c3 = circuit << c

c1.connect(port="o1", destination=c2.ports["o1"])
c3.connect(port="o1", destination=c2.ports["o2"])
print(c1.ports["o1"].to_dict())
print(c3.ports["o2"].to_dict())
circuit
{'name': 'o1', 'width': 1.0, 'center': [0.0, 0.0], 'orientation': 0.0, 'layer': [1, 0], 'port_type': 'optical', 'shear_angle': 45.0}
{'name': 'o2', 'width': 1.0, 'center': [10.5, 0.0], 'orientation': 0.0, 'layer': [1, 0], 'port_type': 'optical', 'shear_angle': 45.0}
shear_sample: uid a6d75e1f, ports [], references ['extrude_1', 'extrude_2', 'extrude_3'], 0 polygons

Transitions with Shear faces#

You can also create a transition with a shear face

[64]:
P = gf.path.straight(length=10)

s = gf.Section(width=3, offset=0, layer=gf.LAYER.SLAB90, name="slab")
X1 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=1,
    offset=0,
    layer=gf.LAYER.WG,
    name="core",
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    sections=[s],
)
s2 = gf.Section(width=2, offset=0, layer=gf.LAYER.SLAB90, name="slab")
X2 = gf.CrossSection(
    width=0.5,
    offset=0,
    layer=gf.LAYER.WG,
    name="core",
    port_names=("o1", "o2"),
    sections=[s2],
)
t = gf.path.transition(X1, X2, width_type="linear")
c = gf.path.extrude(P, t, shear_angle_start=10, shear_angle_end=45)
c
extrude_301b9865: uid cad734a3, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons

This will also work with curves and non-linear width profiles. Keep in mind that points outside the original geometry will be extrapolated linearly.

[65]:
angle = 15
P = gf.path.euler()
c = gf.path.extrude(P, t, shear_angle_start=angle, shear_angle_end=angle)
c
extrude_1db1d2c4: uid cbff09d6, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons

bbox_layers vs cladding_layers#

For extruding waveguides you have two options:

  1. bbox_layers for squared bounding box

  2. cladding_layers for extruding a layer that follows the shape of the path.

[66]:
xs_bbox = gf.cross_section.cross_section(bbox_layers=[(3, 0)], bbox_offsets=[3])
w1 = gf.components.bend_euler(cross_section=xs_bbox, with_bbox=True)
w1
bend_euler_caf18727: uid b6fc2152, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons
[67]:
xs_clad = gf.cross_section.cross_section(cladding_layers=[(3, 0)], cladding_offsets=[3])
w2 = gf.components.bend_euler(cross_section=xs_clad)
w2
bend_euler_0d7cc2fd: uid b14e0745, ports ['o1', 'o2'], references [], 2 polygons